Frost dates for 81059Model, CO
The average last spring frost in Model is May 4 and the average first fall frost is October 9, giving a typical growing season of about 156 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 9
- Growing season
- 156 days
Safer after May 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Sep 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 189 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | May 2 · May 15 · May 31 | Sep 18 · Oct 1 · Oct 13 | 137 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 20 · May 4 · May 19 | Sep 28 · Oct 9 · Oct 21 | 156 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Oct 31 | 176 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Model
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – Jun 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jun 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 3 – Jul 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 27 – Jun 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 30 – Jun 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Jun 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – May 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 4 – Jun 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 30 – Jul 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Sep 29 – Oct 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 81059 is matched to the NOAA station Trinidad Perry Stokes Ap, CO, 30.3 km away, at 5,741 ft elevation (82 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trinidad Perry Stokes Ap, CO (used) | 5,741 ft | May 4 | Oct 9 |
| Trinidad, CO | 6,030 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 15 |
| Trinidad Lake, CO | 6,310 ft | May 11 | Oct 4 |
| Walsenburg 1 Nw, CO | 6,292 ft | May 6 | Oct 4 |
Frost dates near Model
- Hoehne, CO 81046 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Trinidad, CO 81082 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Aguilar, CO 81020 · last May 11, first Oct 4
- Trinchera, CO 81081 · last May 4, first Oct 9
- Walsenburg, CO 81089 · last May 6, first Oct 4
- Boncarbo, CO 81024 · last May 5, first Oct 9
- Branson, CO 81027 · last Apr 30, first Oct 15
- Weston, CO 81091 · last May 21, first Sep 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Model, CO?
- For ZIP code 81059, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Trinidad Perry Stokes Ap, CO weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 19.
- When is the first frost in Model, CO?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by September 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 81059?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 156 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.